I've become a bit of a hermit these days. I rarely leave the house, having become far too 'safe' in my little front room cocoon. Technically I'm self-employed, but I am so burnt out right now that in between Home Educating my son and keeping the home running (with all the invisible labour that entails which is so rarely recognised, even by those of us doing it!), I've found it easier and safer to just stay inside and stay away from the rest of the world. I've let friendships slide, hobbies slide, fitness, self-care, all the things that keep us healthy and happy have been let go so I can hide away this person I've become.

ADHD's a funny thing. You can spend your entire lifetime as an undiagnosed woman just masking without even realising it. But it's not sustainable, Slowly, but surely, all of those behind the scenes mechanisms you've put in play, just to keep up, start crumbling, bit by bit, until one day you're sat looking at a version of yourself that you no longer recognise. You still think you have the same capacity that you used to have, but things just don't work in the way they used to and you cant understand why - but you know it must be your fault.

Perimenopause is a major contributor in why so many late-diagnosed ADHDers finally seek the answers as to why they've never felt like they quite got the memo about how to adult properly. But it's one of those 'women's problems' that gets talked about in hushed tones, like it's something shameful. Hormonal fluctuations are not fun for anyone, but for those with ADHD, it magnifies our issues immensely, in ways that are only now finally being researched and understood.

There is so much I could go on to say about the ways in which ADHD affects me and so many others, but that's not the point of why I'm supporting this fundraiser. The ADHDAF Community has been a lifeline for me through some pretty dark times, and I think the work of the new ADHDAF+ charity is so, so important.

So I'm joining this fundraiser for two reasons - firstly - to hopefully give back to the community that has supported me and raise some money for the charity. And secondly, to give myself a reason to get myself out of my cocoon and to start living my life again, back in the real world. I don't know if I suffer from S.A.D. personally , but it is a common comorbidity with ADHD, and even if I don't many in our community do. But I do know that I am sad in general, and I know that exercise and fresh air will do me good anyway!

I'm not doing anything fancy - it's not a sponsorship-type thing where I ask people to donate per step/minute of exercise - and I also know it's the festive season and money is tight. So if anyone is able to donate, that's amazing and so, so appreciated. But this is as much about raising awareness and sharing our lived experiences of ADHD, as well as accountability for myself, so just reading this or asking me how I'm getting on, or pointing those who might need support to the charity is just as important, and just as appreciated.

More info directly from the ADHDAF+ Charity about the fundraiser is here - I personally join the Morning Body Doubling sessions almost every day (I Iead the Sunday session as a peer support community volunteer). It is what makes me look forward to getting up in the mornings - and as a lifelong (and ongoing!) night owl, finding a way to start my day at a socially acceptable time has been amazing.

Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) disproportionately affects people with ADHD. This form of depression that tends to occur during the darker months of the year, frequently co-occurs with ADHD at an estimated rate of about 30% with adult ADHD women tending to have a higher risk of co-occurring SAD and ADHD.

Two years ago the ADHDAF Podcast online Peer support community began Morning Body Doubling to help support members to get out of bed in the winter months and to bring some light to the dark mornings.

With so many of us already suffering co-occuring depression, anxiety, PMDD, perimenopause/menopause and more - last winter it was very apparent how much so many of us struggle with S.A.D. on top of all we are already up against. This winter, with many community members still on neverending waiting lists and others unable to access their medication due to shortages, we need to best support ourselves and each other now more than ever.

One of the ways to help improve SAD and ADHD symptoms is regular exercise. In having this collective goal we will all be mentally healthier this winter, and in turn the funds raised further support the ADHD Community via ADHDAF+ Charity.

This charity was inspired by the ADHDAF Podcast Community. The work it will do is crucial at this time of both ADHD diagnosis crisis and medication shortages. Funds are needed to be able to connect ADHD Adults of marginalised genders in their local communities, to then create essential peer support groups. The online community has proven the life changing benefit of peer support, so to be able to facilitate in-person peer support for those in need will be of enormous benefit to the wider ADHD community. ADHDAF+ Charity has only just be founded, so we desperately need the funds to get it up and running: adhdafplus.org.uk

Three of the major difficulties suffered by most ADHDers are motivation, consistency and self care. The money to get the charity up and running and the peer support element of doing this as a collective will motivate us to look after ourselves at a time when not only is self care the most difficult to do, but also when we need it the most.

Your donation will help fund live events to bring ADHD adults of marginalised genders together in their local community to create their own peer support network, which is crucial at a time where in some parts of the UK vulnerable people can be waiting 8 years for life changing and even life saving assessment, diagnosis and treatment. The events will feature information, validation and signposting and will empower attendees to not just best support themselves but each other by creating local regular in person support groups.

It would mean the absolute world if you could donate to this fundraiser. We know that past ADHDAF Podcast events worked to fight isolation, connect and empower. Just imagine the difference the ADHDAF+ Charity events and support groups will make for those living in limbo, many in mental health crisis and in desperate need for support currently so far out of reach. Please donate to help motivate and support our Winter Warriors to help them shine through the darkness and illuminate the way for the invaluable work your generosity will enable ADHDAF+ charity to begin.